Confirmed Case of Whooping Cough in District 205

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- A letter was sent home this week to families at RESA Middle School about a confirmed case of Pertussis, or whooping cough, at the school. The affected person is being treated and is not in school.

In the letter (attached), parents were encouraged to contact their child’s school nurse, the RPS Health Services Office, or the Winnebago County Health Department. The letter also encourages parents to look for symptoms of the illness.

Pertussis is treatable with antibiotics. It is caused by a bacterium that lives in the mouth, nose and throat. The germ is highly contagious and can be easily spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing. People in close contact with children or adults diagnosed with pertussis may also need to be treated with antibiotics.

To learn more about Pertussis, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov/pertussis, or contact the Winnebago County Health Department at 815-720-4000.

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